For the first phase of the MVC Project, we learned the script of SIU's copy of the Meditationes Vitae Christi manuscript and compared the manuscript to the published scholarly edition of the text, noting any differences. Now we are on to the second phase of our task. SIU's copy of the MVC is unique, but not simply…
When God created the the world, he "planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed" (Genesis 2:8). In the center of this garden grew two trees: the Tree of Life, and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Often we talk more about that second…
In November of last year I started reviewing a paper about the deity of Jesus that was written by my friend John Carroll. I covered the earlier sections of the paper in my first and second posts on the subject; and I recommend reading those first if you haven't already. Now, I am going to finish…
Currently in my work with the MVC Project, I have been examining the manuscript for textual variants by comparing the SIUC copy of the manuscript against the critical edition. Up until fairly recently, the differences that I have found have been small: changing word order in a way that doesn't affect translation, omitting or adding…
A new year has come; and it is common for us to look forward into the new year with expectancy. Many of us see the new year as a time to make a fresh start of things, to better ourselves, and to get rid of bad habits that we may have in our life. This…
In Carbondale, a city about half an hour from my home town, there is a nativity scene that is put up pretty well every year. Inside the little stable is baby Jesus lying in a manger, with Mary and Joseph adoringly looking at the Christ child. Two wise men and a shepherd also join the scene,…
With Christmas coming quick, I wanted to share the Christmas story as it is beautifully told in the Meditationes Vitae Christi. If you don't know what the MVC is, or you aren't aware of my research with a newly discovered MVC manuscript at Southern Illinois University, go back and read about it some time. For now, just enjoy the…
Mark 16 is one of the most awesome chapters in the entire New Testament. It tells us how Jesus rose from the dead (v.1-8), and how he appeared to Mary Magdalene and a couple other disciples (9-13). It tells us how he commissioned his apostles to preach the gospel and baptize (14-16), and how the…
Before I continue reviewing the paper of my good friend John Carroll, I want to summarize and restate one point from my previous post on this topic. (If you haven't read Carroll's paper or my previous post, please go back and read them before you look at this post. Things will make more sense starting…
A few months ago, my good friend John Carroll---along with about five other good Christian brethren---participated in an apostolic symposium about Jesus and the Incarnation. The format consisted of a paper-reading by each author, followed by a question/answer session. Unfortunately I was not able to attend; but I did manage to get ahold of a copy…
Lectionary 